The future of Riyad Mahrez could yet turn out to be the transfer saga of the World Cup summer.

With the Premier League season not yet finished, speculation over the mercurial Leicester City winger’s next destination is already rife.

Reports in Spain suggest Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane will be given the go-ahead by President Florentino Perez to snatch the Algerian from under the nose of former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola, who had been desperate to take him to Manchester City in January.

Pep Guardiola was keen on Mahrez in the January window

That move on deadline day ultimately collapsed and saw Mahrez left in limbo, before eventually returning to training after something of a hiatus.

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Spanish sports magazine Don Balon suggest Madrid will do everything in their power to sign Mahrez ahead of City in a bid to get one over the former Barca boss.

The story claims Real will offer £50m for his services, though City's bid in January was that plus a player they rated at £15m and that still wasn't enough to tempt Leicester into doing business, so it remains to be seen if the Foxes have softened their stance in the months since.

Los Blancos have endured a poor season on the domestic front and currently sit 15 points behind their Catalan rivals, facing a battle to finish second ahead of their city rivals Atletico, though things on the European front look much rosier - Mahrez could be key to a brighter season on the home front next term as Zidane looks to freshen up his squad.